Trogir: Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands Speedboat Tour

Three islands, one fast-moving morning. This five-hour speedboat trip gives you a lively taste of Dalmatia, with clear water, rocky coves, a small island village, and plenty of time to swim. I like the mix of active and easygoing stops, and I like that cold water, iced tea, snorkeling gear, fuel, and safety equipment are included. The main drawback is simple: each stop lasts about an hour, so you get a sampler rather than a slow island day, and the Blue Lagoon can be crowded in the afternoon.

I also like the small-group feel and the friendly crew. Guides and captains named in guest feedback include Leo, Lubo, and Karmen, with high praise for their careful boat handling and relaxed manner. Bring water shoes, though. Several swimming spots are rocky, and some stones are sharp enough to make bare feet regret their optimism.

The trip in four useful points

• Fast island-hopping from Trogir: The speedboat reaches Drvenik Veli, the Blue Lagoon, Šolta, and Čiovo without spending much of your day in transit.
• Three different kinds of stops: You get snorkeling and swimming, a village visit in Maslinica, then a quieter bay for relaxing.
• About three and a half hours around the islands: The sailing is brisk, but most of your time is spent in the water or ashore.
• Cold drinks are included: Bottled water and iced tea are supplied, while meals, café drinks, and personal purchases are extra.
• Best practical tip: Pack water shoes, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and cash. Sit at the front only if you are happy getting splashed.
• A strong value at $64: The price covers the boat, captain, fuel, safety gear, snorkeling equipment, and drinks, but not lunch.

Starting beside Kamerlengo Castle

You meet on the Trogir promenade, in front of Kamerlengo Castle. That is a useful landmark in a compact old town, though you should still allow a little time to find the exact meeting point and get settled before departure.

The boat ride begins with roughly 20 minutes across the water toward Drvenik Veli. A speedboat changes the mood immediately. You feel the breeze, hear the engine, and cover the distance far faster than you would on a slower excursion boat. It is fun, but it is not a quiet cruise.

You should expect some spray, especially in the front seats. One particularly wet departure began in stormy weather, though the captain found clearer skies farther out. Bad weather can cancel the trip, so keep some flexibility in your schedule if conditions look poor.

Shade is limited. That is one of the unavoidable tradeoffs of an open speedboat. Put sunscreen on before boarding, wear a hat that will not fly away, and keep your phone secure when the boat picks up speed.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water with a crowd problem

The first major stop is the Blue Lagoon, near Drvenik Veli. You have about 90 minutes here, making it the longest stop of the day. That is sensible because this is where most people want to swim and snorkel.

The water is clear enough for enjoyable snorkeling, and the setting is made for a first splash. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, sunbathe on the beach, or buy a drink at a beach bar. You do not have to swim, which matters for anyone in a group with mixed energy levels.

The name Blue Lagoon sets high expectations. In good weather, the water is certainly attractive, but it is not an untouched private cove. Afternoon visits can be busy, particularly during peak season and public holidays. If you want the calmest possible experience, an early departure at 9 a.m. is the better choice.

This is also where water shoes matter most. Several people found the stones sharp or uncomfortable, and the swimming areas are rocky rather than soft and sandy. A pair of proper water shoes will make entering and leaving the water far easier.

The Blue Lagoon may be the photographic star of the trip, but it is not automatically the best stop for everyone. If you dislike crowds or prefer a more natural, less developed swimming area, the later stop at Čiovo may suit you better.

Maslinica on Šolta: the hour with the most character

After about ten minutes on the boat, you reach Maslinica on the island of Šolta. This is your one proper village stop, and it gives the day some variety beyond swimming.

Maslinica is small and pleasant for a short wander. You can stroll by old buildings, see the castle, look toward the pine woods, and settle into a café with a beer, cocktail, or coffee. Lunch and regional food are available at your own expense, as are local snacks and shopping.

I would treat this as a chance to slow down, not as a major sightseeing visit. You have about one hour, which is enough to walk around, take photos, and enjoy a drink, but not enough for an extended meal or a detailed exploration of Šolta.

That limited time is the most common criticism of the schedule. Some people would happily add another 30 minutes here, especially if they want lunch in Maslinica. The operator has to keep the boat moving, so you need to choose what matters most: a proper meal, a village walk, or a quick drink with a view.

Maslinica is valuable because it keeps the excursion from becoming a string of anonymous swim stops. You see people going about their day, old stone buildings, and a small Adriatic harbor rather than only beach bars and open water. If you want an authentic-feeling pause, this is likely your favorite stop.

Duga Bay and Čiovo: the relaxed final hour

The boat then travels about 15 minutes to the south side of Čiovo Island, where you stop in Duga Bay for about an hour. This is the most flexible part of the trip.

You can sit beneath the pine trees, swim in the warm water, walk along the pebble beach, or use the time for more snorkeling. Some departures also allow people to jump from the boat, which adds a playful finish for confident swimmers.

Duga Bay works well as the final stop because there is no pressure to follow a set program. After the faster boat rides and the village walk, you can simply find shade and do very little. That balance is one of the strongest features of the outing.

The bay is not a sandy beach experience. Pebbles and rocks are part of the setting, so water shoes remain useful here. Shade is available under the pine trees, but the boat itself does not offer much protection from the sun.

The return ride takes about 15 minutes. On a late afternoon trip, the changing light can make the journey back especially pleasant. One crew even stopped when dolphins appeared, allowing the group to take photos and video. That sort of moment cannot be promised, but it shows the value of having an attentive captain rather than being on a large fixed-route ferry.

What the speedboat adds to the day

The speedboat is not just transportation. It is a major part of the experience.

You reach the islands quickly, feel the sea air, and get the fun of racing over open water. The boat also lets the group cover several locations in five hours, something a slower vessel would struggle to do.

There is a cost. The ride can be bumpy, wet, and loud. Anyone with motion sensitivity should think carefully before booking. Sit toward the middle if you want a smoother ride, and protect cameras and phones from spray.

The group size appears to be relatively small, which helps the day feel more personal. A smaller boat also makes it easier to ask the captain about the route or request help with snorkeling equipment. Captains have been praised for being friendly, cautious, and flexible.

Music may be played during the ride, depending on the crew. That can add to the holiday mood, though it is not the right choice if you want a silent nature outing. The overall feel is casual rather than formal.

A closer look at the schedule

The timing is tightly arranged:

• About 20 minutes from Trogir to the first stop
• 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon
• About 10 minutes to Maslinica
• One hour in the village
• About 15 minutes to Čiovo
• One hour at Duga Bay
• About 15 minutes back to Trogir

In practice, you get more than three hours around the islands, with roughly half the day devoted to swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and the village. That is a good balance for a half-day outing.

The schedule will suit you if you want variety. It will disappoint you only if your ideal day means spending four or five uninterrupted hours at one beach. This is an island sampler, not a private beach charter.

Morning and afternoon departures offer different moods. Early trips are the safest choice for avoiding the worst Blue Lagoon crowds. An afternoon departure can bring softer light on the way back, and some people enjoy the slower, more relaxed feel near the end of the day.

What is included, and what you still need to pay for

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable for a five-hour speedboat trip in the Trogir area. Fuel alone is a meaningful part of operating a fast boat, and the fee also includes the captain, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, cold bottled water, and iced tea.

You still pay for food, café drinks, beach-bar purchases, shopping, and other personal expenses. Bring cash because the tour specifically recommends it, and do not assume every small beach stop will handle cards.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and snorkel. You would otherwise be paying for transport and scenery, while the included gear gives you a useful activity at the Blue Lagoon and Čiovo without renting equipment separately.

A private boat would give you more control over timing, but it would cost far more. A large boat may be cheaper, but it would not offer the same speed or small-group atmosphere. For a compact introduction to the islands, this sits in a sensible middle ground.

How to prepare for a better day

Pack light, but bring the right items:

• Water shoes for rocky entries and sharp stones
• A towel and swimsuit
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Cash for lunch, drinks, and personal purchases
• A secure waterproof pouch for your phone
• A light cover-up if you burn easily

Cold water and iced tea are included, so you do not need to carry a large supply of drinks. Food is not included, and Maslinica gives you the best chance to buy lunch, but one hour passes quickly.

Do not wear anything you cannot afford to get wet. Even in good weather, the front of the boat can catch spray. If you want the most comfortable ride, choose a middle seat and keep your belongings close.

The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users. It also requires enough mobility to board a speedboat, move around a beach or village, and enter rocky swimming areas.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this outing to couples, friends, families with older children, and anyone staying in Trogir who wants to see more of the coast without giving up an entire day.

It works especially well for you if:

• You enjoy swimming and snorkeling
• You want a small-group boat ride
• You like mixing beach time with a village visit
• You prefer fast transport over a slow cruise
• You want several locations in one half-day
• You are comfortable with sun, spray, and rocky beaches

It may not suit you if you need lots of shade, dislike bumpy boat rides, want a long lunch, or prefer a quiet and uncrowded beach. The Blue Lagoon can feel overhyped when busy, and the three stops leave little room for lingering.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and 3 Islands tour?

Yes, if you want an active, good-value half-day on the Adriatic. The best parts are the friendly crew, quick boat rides, clear swimming water, useful snorkeling time, and the change of scene at Maslinica. The trip feels varied without becoming an exhausting full-day commitment.

Choose the early departure if crowds bother you. Choose the afternoon if you like the idea of gentler light on the return journey. Either way, bring water shoes and accept that the boat, not a private beach, is the star of the day.

The overall rating of 4.8 from 263 bookings reflects what this experience does well: it is easygoing, well paced, and packed with scenery. I would book it for a first look at the islands from Trogir, but I would not book it expecting untouched beaches or long, leisurely meals.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is on the Trogir promenade, in front of Kamerlengo Fortress, also known as Kamerlengo Castle.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when booking.

What islands and locations does the boat visit?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon near Drvenik Veli, Maslinica on Šolta, and Duga Bay on the south side of Čiovo Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, safety equipment, fuel, a captain, cold bottled water, and cold iced tea are included.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food, drinks purchased at cafés or beach bars, shopping, and other personal expenses are not included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour may be canceled in bad weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.